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Monday, August 5, 2013

50s Swimwear-Inspired Linen Mini Dress

I bought this floral linen fabric for the shop, and the bolt was just calling to me to make something from it. The print reminded me of 50s swimwear and sarong dresses--so why not a swimsuit-inspired dress?

The pattern is Vogue 8849, View B. I just made it mini instead of above-knee length. I was trying to the effect of a skirted bathing suit or playsuit, but in dress form.

The pattern has a lot of ease. I started with a 14, but ended up taking it in quite a bit around the bust, waist, and upper hip. The lower hip had to be let out, though.

(Hey, look how big I can make my photos with my new layout!)

I added ivory bias trim around the waistline, as well as patch pockets with bias trim and decorative buttons.

Cateye sunglasses seemed mandatory.

The pink clogs came out again! (Yes, they're exactly the same as my green ones that I wear with everything.)

P.S. I'm extending the 10% off promo in my fabric shop. Use code 10off to get the discount on orders $40 and over.

Super flattering! It's a perfect sunsuit! (As long as you protect your tattoos with sunblock of course.)I love how light and clean the blog header and layout is. It makes it easy to focus on the goodness of the entry(ies) itself!

Gosh Gertie you are just soooooo talented, love the dress, love the new look blog and you are looking great! Pity I live in the UK as your fabric would cost more in shipping!!! Boo HooThank you for sharing your experience :)

I live in Norway (and no, I am not rich, wich is why I want to sew myself), but I have bouhgt fabrics from Gertie's shop - or to be more exact - I have ordered, still impatiently waiting for the fabrics to make it over "the pond".

Love the playfulness of this dress. So summery, so poolside chic! Looks great with your hair and sunnies. Also, have to say that the new blog layout is looking soooooooooooo much better than your old one. The photos are so much bigger - so much easier to see detail and it looks a lot less crowded. Definite props lady! Only thing I would say is please get rid of the "recaptchas." I tried to post this three times because I couldn't tell what the letters were!

So cute! I thought it was a jumpsuit at first. Love the print and the piping on the waist. I have a vintage pair of swimmers I just wear as a jumpsuit. I've never seen how you could swim in cotton fabric. Wouldn't it feel heavy when it got wet?

Love the dress and the haircut and the slimmer you :)Regarding the new blog layout, I just want to say it's awesome but when I view it on my blackberry, the post (mobile version) has two sets of menu ... The same menu but two instead of one ...nothing wrong with it, just thought you might like to know ... I know I would lol, the little thing that's not "right" always bugs me ...

Hi Gertie!This is great! I am working on this pattern at the moment and going all out with fishtail peplum (gulp)! I'm finding the same as you -- there's so much ease, even though I cut a size smaller than usual. The bust seams are correctly placed, but I feel like I need to pinch out at the sides loads.. I'm hoping it won't distort!